1Nope, these guys still don't belong to me.

"It Starts with a Look"

Chapter 4

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The ride to Tony's apartment was uneventful, both agents having a silent understanding of the other. Kate stared out the window; Tony kept his eyes focused on the road.

Tony paid extra attention to each traffic signal and road sign. He had to stay focused. He couldn't risk looking in her direction. He was distracted enough already.

You can do this Dinozzo. She's just coming over to watch a movie. She has no expectations about tonight. All you have to do is be yourself. It's just Kate.

Kate was sufficiently distracted herself. She was relieved that Tony hadn't pushed her to say more. She wanted to talk to him, but she just wasn't ready. She did really like the idea of just spending time with Tony. She had never seen him in his natural element. She wondered what the real Dinozzo was like.

Do not have any expectations about tonight. You had a crappy day and Tony is just being nice. That's what partners do for each other. So what if we've never done anything like this before? Just be yourself. It's just Tony.

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"Make yourself at home," Tony called out as he walked into the kitchen. "Sorry about the mess, I wasn't expecting to have company."

"Really?" Kate replied sarcastically. "I always assumed that you entertain quite often."

Tony blushed a little at this comment. "You should never make assumptions in our line of work, agent Todd."

Kate smiled as she wandered into the living room and tossed her coat on the sofa. She was glad to be having a more lighthearted conversation. Tony was always good for a laugh.

"It looks like I have the makings of some basic pasta," Tony offered. "If you don't mind eating heavy this late at night."

"After the day I've had, bring it on." Kate replied with a forced smile.

She slowly made her way around the apartment, looking for clues as to who the real Dinozzo was. His office provided more insight than anywhere else. She smiled the moment she walked in. The walls were lined with movie posters, classics mainly. He appeared to be your basic Steven Spielberg/Alfred Hitchcock fan.

Typical Dinozzo. His life revolves around movies.

She noticed photos on his bookcase, and walked over to take a closer look. The shelves were full of pictures from various crime scenes, but these were not crime scene photographs. They were pictures of the team.

Ducky sitting in the president's chair on Air Force One.

Kate in her army boots at her first crime scene.

Gibbs giving Tony the look he always gives before smacking someone.

She couldn't help but grin as she looked over them. She stared at the pictures for some time before finally picking up a picture of Tony flashing his million dollar smile.

"That's my favorite too," Tony said from the doorway.

"Most people have pictures of their family Dinozzo." Kate said, teasing him.

"I know," he replied, "but I'm closer to you guys than my family. We all understand each other." He paused for a moment. "There's something to be said for that."

Tony shifted his gaze to the photographs. Now you sound like a sentimental idiot Dinozzo. Way to be yourself.

Kate smiled and touched him lightly on the arm. "I know exactly what you mean."

Tony looked up, surprised at Kate's response. His own reaction surprised him as well.

She barely touched you, what's the matter with you? Calm down. It's just Kate. She's your partner, she doesn't feel that way about you.

"I, um, should probably check on the pasta," Tony stuttered. "Eating overcooked pasta is worse than going hungry."

Now you just sound like an idiot Dinozzo. Can't you just be normal?

"I agree," Kate replied, "and I'm in no mood to go hungry."